Elitegroup Computer Systems (ECS) has announced its new H81 series motherboards, featuring new Intel 8-series chipset specifically for the new 4th Generation Intel Core processor family. ECS H81 series motherboards are designed for different applications, such as Internet café, multi-media, and general office productivity. Also, ECS H81 series motherboards are available in a full product line of ATX, microATX and Mini-ITX form factors.

Features of the new ECS H81 series motherboards include support for full SATA-600 internal ports, PCI-Express 3.0 x16 bus, integrated USB 3.0, 4K resolution display support on the HDMI port, and two DDR3 1600(MHz) DIMM slots for up to 16 GB RAM.

ASUS has announced the world’s first motherboard certified by Intel with Thunderbolt 2 technology, the Z87-Deluxe/Quad. Based on the new Intel Z87 chipset and ready for the latest 4th generation Intel Core™ processors, the ASUS Z87-Deluxe/Quad ATX motherboard has two Thunderbolt 2 ports which allow for up to twelve simultaneously connected devices.

Each port is capable of up to a 20 Gbps transfer rate and is backward compatible with first generation Thunderbolt.

The first generation Thunderbolt standard has four separate transfer channels — two upstream and two downstream — with a maximum transfer rate of 10 Gbps per channel. Thunderbolt 2 combines these four channels into two 20 Gbps bi-directional channels, providing 4X the bandwidth of USB 3.0. Together with DisplayPort 1.2 support, Thunderbolt 2 enables simultaneous delivery of extremely high-resolution video to the latest 4K/2K (4096 x 2160 and 3840x2160) displays while still offering communication with other bandwidth-hungry devices such as hard drives. Additionally, the ASUS Z87-Deluxe/Quad’s onboard HDMI port means that it can drive a total of three 4K UHD displays at once.

Thunderbolt 2 also supports daisy-chained connections with up to six devices on each port. With two Thunderbolt 2 ports, the ASUS Z87-Deluxe/Quad can connect to up to 12 devices at once, reducing the need for separate hubs and helping to maintain a clutter-free workspace.

The ASUS Z87-Deluxe/Quad includes a number of exclusive ASUS technologies. Dual Intelligent Processors 4 with 4-Way Optimization is an easy-to-use tuning tool that dynamically adjusts performance and cooling for reduced noise and increased efficiency with a single click. The UEFI BIOS presents a friendly graphical interface, making it easier than ever to set up shortcuts and favorites for quick access to the options that are used most often.

The ASUS Z87-Deluxe/Quad also includes the NFC Express accessory, which can automate common PC tasks simply by tapping the supplied NFC tag or NFC-compatible smart devices to the box. NFC Express can be used to securely login to your Windows user account without the need to type in a password, and also provides the ability to launch multiple applications to create a particular workflow. Using the free Wi-Fi GO! & NFC Remote companion apps for NFC-compatible smart devices, users can also wirelessly synchronize photos and videos with their PC and remotely control their system by tapping the NFC Express box.

Gigabyte has announced its new FM2+ motherboard lineup supporting the forthcoming “Keveri” AMD APUs with support for existing socket FM2 Trinity and Richland APUs.

Gigabyte A88X motherboards feature a number of features and technologies, and also include the first AMD G1-Killer gaming motherboard, the G1.Sniper A88X, which includes Gigabyte AMP-Up Audio, a range of advanced audio technologies that are designed to give audio enthusiasts and PC gamers more control over their motherboard audio than ever before.

Gigabyte A88X series motherboards also offer unique Gigabyte features, including UEFI DualBIOS, Digital Power delivery, as well triple display support.

Gigabyte A88X series motherboards feature the new FM2+ APU socket, and are designed to get the most from forthcoming Kaveri AMD APUs while preserving compatibility for current AMD FM2 APUs. FM2+ AMD APUs offer native support for 8 GT/s PCI Express gen 3.0 as well as DX11.1 support integrating the high performance “Steamroller” core. AMD socket FM2+ APUs also offer native support for 4K resolution displays on HDMI and DisplayPort.

The X79 Dark is the latest EVGA socket LGA2011 motherboard. It is based on the E-ATX form factor and measures 10.37 x 12 inches (263.5 x 304.8 mm). The X79 Dark comes with a 12 layer PCB, which improves overclock stability and PCB cooling. It features eight DDR3-2400 slots, five PCI Express 3.0 x16 slots, one PCI Express x4 slot, 10 USB 2.0 ports (six on the rear panel and four onboard), six USB 3.0 ports (four on the rear panel and two onboard), six SATA-600 ports, four SATA-300 ports, two Gigabit Ethernet ports, eight channel high definition audio, and supports Bluetooth V2.1 and EVBot technologies. The board uses a 12+2 phase VRM to power the CPU and a 4-phase VRM for the memory.

One of the highlights of the X79 Dark is its BIOS, allowing users to monitor CPU and memory voltages, besides tuning up several options for overclocking.

ASRock’s new Non-Z OC technology makes it possible to overclocking CPU frequency on H87 and B85 motherboards. The Fatal1ty H87 Performance is the first motherboard compatible with Non-Z OC. According to ASRock, the CPU frequency can be overclocked up to 26%.

ECS has just revealed its latest Mini-ITX motherboard family KBN-I featuring the world’s first Quad Core SoC (system-on-a-chip) processor with the newest “Jaguar” 28 nanometer architecture. The ECS KBN-I integrated AMD Quad Core A6-5200 APU with AMD Radeon HD 8400 Graphics, supporting the new generation of DirectX 11.1 graphics. The ECS KBN-I with official Windows 8 WHCK certification (Windows Hardware Certification Kit) allows users to take full advantage of the touch browser and function-oriented design of Windows 8. The KBN-I is optimized for home entertainment, general computing productivity, and multimedia applications.

Designed to save space and energy, the ECS KBN-I is the ideal solution for small-form factor systems, with the AMD Kabini Quad Core SoC processor and maximum of 25W low power consumption. It improves power efficiency by up to 25% through clock gating and unit redesign compared with current generation low power platforms. Thanks to the new generation design, increasing the amount of cores, instructions per clock (IPC), and boost clock speed, the ECS KBN-I reduces energy usage by operating at lower frequencies. The ECS KBN-I also has a 9W fanless Heat Sink design, full electrostatic discharge protection and 100% solid capacitors to maximize the reliability and longevity of your system.

Manufacturers have introduced their first motherboards featuring the new Intel 8-series chipset family specifically for the new 4th generation Intel Core processor family of CPUs, which will be available and shipping worldwide in Q2 2013. The new chipset features support for full SATA-600 internal ports and PCI-Express Gen.3 x16 bus design. They also integrate USB 3.0, Thunderbolt, and enable responsiveness technologies like Intel Smart Response, Intel Smart Connect, and Intel Rapid Start.

ASRock’s upcoming 8 Series motherboards will feature a special layer that makes its motherboards invulnerable to conductive liquids, so overclockers won’t have to worry about accidently spilling liquid nitrogen, liquid helium, or even clam chowder over their motherboards while they are overclocking. Along with conductive liquids, the special layer also protects the motherboard against dust, corrosion, and extreme temperatures.

802.11ac WiFi is a new wireless computer networking standard that provides high-throughput wireless local area networks on the 5 GHz band with data transferring speeds up to 867 Mbps, a whopping 289% speed boost compared to the former models with 2T2R 802.11n WiFi. Besides the new WiFi, some models will also come with a new ASRock Wi-SD front tray which includes four USB 3.0 ports and an SD 3.0 card slot.

The new ECS family of motherboards featuring the new Intel 8-series chipset family designed specifically for the new 4th generation Intel Core processor family of CPUs, which will be available and shipping worldwide in Q2 2013. The new chipset features support for full SATA-600 internal ports and PCI Express 3.0 bus design. They also integrate USB 3.0, Thunderbolt, and enable responsiveness technologies like Intel Smart Response, Intel Smart Connect, and Intel Rapid Start.

ECS is also introducing a new family of motherboard tiers including: Pro series optimized for power computing, Deluxe series optimized for small office and home, and Essentials series optimized for home and multi-media. The new ECS family of motherboards will feature ECS’s new Durathon durability technology which includes a triple density PCB, extreme temperature resistance, 1.5K point marathon testing, and superior solid capacitors designed to greatly improve motherboard quality, stability, and longevity.

ECS will also be introducing a new brand and family of motherboards specially designed for gaming and high performance processing to be announced in Q2 of 2013. These motherboards will be designed for extreme gaming performance with the highest quality components, and numerous exclusive technologies designed to enhance the gaming experience.